16/5/2021 0 Comments Arrivels and departuresWith us not reaching the play offs my thoughts have of course moved onto us winning the League One title next season. "Simples" as a certain advertisement goes, or is it? Just how much of a task does Adkins and the back room staff at the Valley have this summer? By my reckoning we have 9 players in contract come 1st July and very few academy players ready to step up. First of all, the squad we ended the season with: There are 9 players out of contract end of June: Ben Amos, Adam Matthews, Jason Pearce, Deji Oshilaja, Darren Pratley, Ben Watson (can be extended for one year), Jake Forster-Caskey, Andrew Shinnie and Chuks Aneke. The first confirmed departure was on the 13th May with 36 year old Darren Pratley. He was bought in by Bowyer and made over a 100 appearances in 3 years. We have 9 players whose contract extends beyond 1st July: Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Ryan Inniss, Chris Gunter, Ben Purrington, Albie Morgan, Alex Gilbey, Diallang Jaiyesimi (DJ), Conor Washington and Ronnie Schwartz The loanees were: Liam Millar, Maatsen, Smith, Stockley and Famewo. Millar and Maatsen have returned to their parent clubs and some would argue Smith never arrived which leaves the last 2. A good squad who nearly get us into the play offs, but with an average age of 27.8 and no stand out individual, it is time for yet another squad overhaul. In the past these huge short term changes of squads have been forced upon managers by owners and countless other circumstances like transfer embargoes. With a stable owner desiring the PL in 5 years, could now be the time to rebuild with a core of young players with an eye to the long term? This of course runs the risk of the chosen youngsters not being promoted next season! Of the players who I have listed above, who would be part of your 'core'? My core: Amos, Inniss, Famewo , Gilbey, Aneke (as a super sub) and DJ. Yes, that's it! Be brutal, use head over heart and remove those players who seem injury prone. We need a Cullen in midfield, 2 wide players, support for Inniss and a striker who can change games which brings me onto an area of concern. If we were to sign Stockley we would have 5 strikers on the books, none of them game changes for the full 90 minutes of a game. At least one has to go. Schwartz is the obvious but he has a longer contract and is of a 'certain' unsaleable age. So is it Stockley who makes way for a new signing? Heads the ball well but it is called 'foot' ball here in the UK. Washington is on a contract but not a long term solution. How ruthless will the back room team be? How deep are Sangaard's pockets? Will we be able to compete at sensible prices for players wanted by other clubs also desperate to leave the 3rd division? Do we want a plan for short term or long term results? Glad I'm not the manager! Tauntonaddick
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